Better Doing Right Than Wrong!

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. Colossians 3:23-25 NLT

I remember hearing the phrase, "Willing Workers" many years ago since it was an auxiliary at the church we attended. Until this morning, it didn't dawn on me that the name was taken from this passage of scripture. The implication is that if we're going to do anything, we should be willing to do it and not do things out of a false sense of obligation or commitment.

Passion is driven by those who are willing to do what they do and the drive is intrinsic not extrinsic. If we pay attention to those people who are legitimately successful and do a world of good--it is because they are driven by innate passion to do what they do--not because others have pushed them into doing right.

With everything we undertake to do--whether in a church or on a job or in the community as a volunteer, we should be willing to do--whatever it is--and do it as unto The Lord, not people. For we can never please people who are fickle-minded and never know what they really want from others.  
Unfortunately, we live in a society that caters to the fickle-minded and we know this because of all the rapidly changing trends in just about everything, designed to cater to the whims of those who love change more than anything else.

But there is a reason why we should be mindful as to who matters in whatever it is we do. People may reward our efforts with a temporary reward, but the reward we earn from Christ is for all eternity. Jesus is watching everything we do. He knows when others have wronged us and He knows when we have not been as passionate about what we do as we could have been.

What motivates us to do what is right? I would pray that doing right for the sake of doing right would be enough for most, but I know that doesn't happen. Many of us do what we need to do and no more--seeking payment for the minimalism employed by us. However, I also know there are a number of people who go beyond what is asked and do whatever they can in order to do right and get things done.

If no one ever notices or acknowledges the things we do, we should not be concerned. Jesus is watching and nothing a mere human being could ever give us would compare to the reward awaiting us. We are indeed better off doing right than doing wrong because wrong also has its rewards and no matter what our status in life is--when we do wrong, we get compensated for the wrong-doing; a penalty that many cannot endure.

In order not to worry about being penalized for doing wrong, let's do what is right in God's sight and see how He rewards us on this side of heaven and beyond.

Don't Be Afraid!

"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened” (1 Peter 3:14 NIV).

We should never be concerned about what others think when we do what is right "in the eyes of God," seeking to please Him only.

One of the reasons kids join gangs is because they are "afraid" not to join because of threats from gang members if they don't join.

Many adults capitulate to threats by co-workers or bosses to do things that are "unethical" and sometimes illegal, in order to keep a position.

I have been challenged on more than one occasion to change report card grades and when I refused, was harassed by the principal and the school superintendent.  I never changed the grades, but I did eventually leave the school. Who is right in this situation?  I was right and I never back down when I know I'm right. If a student is not willing to work for the grade they want; they get the grade they earned.

In our society, those who are wrong--about many things--think they have a right to harass those who are right, even to the point of threats.

Christians are harassed when they stand up and proclaim sin is sin and won't back down.
 Some have even been arrested on bogus "intimidation" charges. The enemy's camp is afraid that true Believers will influence others so they scream loud and long--about so-called violation of their rights.  But what about the rights of Christians to speak truth about the Word of God? No one is interested in protecting their rights. 

In fact, politicians are swayed by those who threaten all manner of stupidity--lost financial contributions, lost votes--they don't even concern doing the right thing for all people because they are afraid of losing their status.

We are reminded by Peter that we do not have to be afraid.  Rather, we should know we are blessed when we stand for righteousness, doing the right thing at all times, even in the face of threats from the enemy. Being persecuted by those under the influence of the enemy should not be news to anyone.  Jesus said, through John, that we would be persecuted, but we should not concern ourselves with the enemy and his minions; we only need to concern ourselves with doing what is right. Will we do it?

Don't be afraid to confront the enemy and to make him ashamed.  Do the right thing!